Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 454: Draco Leviathan Lord

Chapter 454: Draco Leviathan Lord

The eyes of the Leviathans glowed with a chilling coldness and unyielding killing intent as they focused on Major General Theodoro. Ever aware of the psychological state of its foes, the hive mind had seen how the human forces were shocked and startled upon witnessing an enemy capable of taking the Xaos King head-on. This was an opportunity the hive mind wished to exploit. It wanted to capitalize on that lingering uncertainty, to gnaw away at the humans’ minds and make them falter ahead of the battle.

Yet Theodoro’s words and actions, his calm and confident leadership, had steeled the hearts of these men and women. He had helped them cast aside all fear and doubt, forging them into pure killing machines bent on eradicating the Leviathan threat.

"SHIREEKKK!"

"KILL!"

With a shriek and a roar, human forces and Leviathans surged forward into a brutal clash. Blood sprayed everywhere as countless warriors and drones collided. It was chaos incarnate.

Through the din of screams, roars, and clashing steel, Major General Theodoro led the charge with unwavering resolve. "Harder. Push forward!" he commanded, his voice rising above the tumult.

Without hesitation, the soldiers under his command obeyed. They pushed deeper into the Leviathan forces, piercing their thick lines before splitting their formation apart. By dividing the swarm into smaller units, they tore away its cohesion and stripped the enemy of one of its greatest advantages.

The battle on the ground quickly grew massive in scale. Hundreds of thousands of human warriors, clad in armor, faced off against millions of Leviathans. The numerical difference was staggering—nearly ten to one—but the human forces were not ordinary. They had all been trained by Overlord, and their military might and tactics were refined beyond anything the world had seen before the apocalypse. They wore armor that rendered them nearly impervious to drones, making the Levaithans’ overwhelming numbers count for little. It was no wonder that the humans held the upper hand and were relentlessly decimating their foes.

Of course, Major General Theodoro knew better than to grow complacent. The aerial units and Leviathan warriors still posed a real threat. A single miscalculation could lead to disaster. Nevertheless, as long as they fought with all their might, victory seemed assured on the ground. Yet, the same certainty could not be applied to the battle unfolding in the sky.

"BOOOOOOM."

A kinetic explosion reverberated through the clouds as a colossal fist landed squarely on Vlad’s chest. The impact sent him hurtling through the air, coughing up a mouthful of blood. The Depravita of Wrath felt his bones cracking under the strength of that monstrous blow. Pain tore through him, and it did not end there. The culprit did not hesitate. It chased after him with overwhelming speed, intent on finishing the job.

Summoning all his power, Vlad forced himself to regain control of his body mid-flight. His eyes burned with a flaming power as he unleashed a laser beam from them. The blazing stream of energy struck his enemy and drove it high into the sky. The power of the Burning Eyes of Fury could blow an arm off a Special Leviathan Unit or pierce straight through the skull of a Behemoth Leviathan. But against this new adversary, while it pushed the foe thousands of meters upward, it failed to shatter its defenses. Only burning wounds marred the creature’s arms.

Vlad took a long, hard look at this fearsome enemy. Before him loomed a towering, five-meter-tall humanoid dragon exuding overwhelming power and a fearsome aura. Its muscular, battle-hardened frame was covered in dark, chitinous scales that gleamed with a faint iridescent sheen. Massive, jagged wings with torn, sinewy membranes extended from its back, sharp and weapon-like in appearance. Its draconic head was crowned with long, twisted horns that curved menacingly, giving it a regal yet terrifying demeanor, while its arms and legs ended in sharp, clawed talons, and blade-like protrusions jutted from its forearms. There was a sense of wisdom in its glowing red eyes—eyes that burned with malice and dominance. It was more unique than any other Leviathan Vlad had ever faced.

’This thing,’ Vlad thought, ’was not built to handle just one person. Its entire purpose is to dominate the battlefield, regardless of the enemy it faces.’ A grim realization settled in Vlad’s mind. ’A Leviathan Lord.’

Of course, no matter the power and might of the enemy, Vlad showed no fear or hesitation. He had faced impossible odds before. Drawing deep upon his reserves, the Depravita of Wrath raised his strength higher and higher until his aura crackled with lightning and flame. He dashed forward, hurling himself into battle with the Draco Leviathan Lord once more. Merciless brutality shimmered in the enemy’s gaze as it responded with equal ferocity. In the sky, they clashed again, their blows causing shockwaves that rippled across the battlefield.

"BOOM."

"BOOM."

"BOOM."

Explosion after explosion echoed through the air. Vlad’s fists and legs exploded with lightning-infused fire, while the humanoid dragon relied purely on overwhelming raw force. Sparks flew as Vlad dodged a vicious claw swipe by moving his head to the side, feeling the rush of air and the razor-sharpness of the missed attack. He countered with a knee strike to the Leviathan’s chest, feeling armor-like scales yield slightly under his blow. He seared flesh and cracked exoskeleton, but before he could revel in that small triumph, a whip-like tail descended toward his head.

Vlad tried to avoid it, but even his speed and reflexes were tested to their limit. He barely managed to twist aside at the last second. Still, the tail slammed into his left shoulder with bone-shattering force. The impact dislocated the joint instantly, sending waves of overwhelming pain coursing through Vlad’s body. He clenched his teeth, refusing to give in. Enduring agony, he opened his mouth and unleashed a burst of lightning and fire meant to push the Draco Leviathan Lord away.

These flames and sparks of lightning would have incinerated the flesh of a Guardian Tier life form. But the Draco Leviathan Lord, though wounded, ignored the searing pain. It lunged forward again, grabbing Vlad’s body in a tight hug.